Welcome to the Boom Boom Room.
Each boom has its own sequence of assembly steps so you don't get the parts crossed, if you follow the instructions (novel concept). They go together easily, the fiddly work being in the wheel wells. I ended up using the kit wheels with hub covers as per the photos of Miss Ann only adding the brake line. There is a lot of conduit and piping that can be added but unless you are placing it on a mirror it will never be seen. Once assembled comes the big question, what colour are the wheel wells and landing gear?
The P-38E/F and into the G models had aluminium lacquered wheel wells and components. With the 1942 aluminium shortage, Lockheed switched to painting the landing gear and wells Neutral Grey. The grey continued in use thru the H & J models, the switch back to Aluminium Lacquer beginning in the early L models. Of course, the change overs weren't hard as existing stocks were used up so there could be mixed colours during those periods. In field repairs could have been could also have seen just shots of primer.
The Smithsonian NASM P-38J-10, serial number 42-67762, is still in its original OD/NG scheme with landing gear and wheel wells in Neutral Grey. The aircraft lost in April 1944, serial number 42-67862, is in the same construction block. Based on that, I'm going with the belief that Miss Ann began her life in that same scheme.
Of general interest, 42-67762 was TOS in Nov 1943. It was converted to a two seater by Lockheed to train their acceptance pilots. It was released to the USAAC for "Special Testing" in Mar/Apr 1944. It was transferred to Wright Field in May 1944 for further test programs after it had been upgraded to the J-25 configuration. One test was to trial a new throttle/propellor control system. On an Apr 1945 flight by Major Richard Bong, the right engine exploded after only 29 minutes in the air. The aircraft was retired in Jul 1946, placed in museum stroage and transferred to the NASM in the early 1950's.
Time for some pictures. These are most of the bits that go into the assembly of each boom. There is an access panel that needs filing on the inboard side of the RH boom as identified in the instructions
Both booms built up and the wheel well painted and weathered. I did skip ahead and added the main gear strut and wheel. The interior of the intakes under the propellor and the outboard intake were painted Neutral Grey. The radiator intake interiors were painted OD with the exposed aft painted Medium Sea Grey. When the doors are installed, the gaps between the top of the bay and the boom are filled in by their supports.
An overall look with the booms and stabilizer press fit into place. Everything is looking square.
Cheers,
RichB
